The RS-1 is the Masterpiece of the Grado collection, the Top Of The Range product which oozes class both in looks and sound.
"A ludicrously pricey pair of headphones but the sound is that good – really!"
- By What Hi-Fi / England

"...the Grado RS1 adds up to a resounding no-brainer recommendation. Some refer to it as foot tapping, or pace and rhythm, I prefer the term kinetic energy. Whichever term resonates with you, be aware that the RS1 brings all of the above to the musical table."
- By Dick Olsher / EnjoyTheMusic.com
"Grado's RS1 has been able to utilize the natural resonance of wood to produce – in our humble opinion – the finest headphones in the world. In fact, the word "masterpiece" was bandied about frequently in the edit meetings"
- Kenny Booras / Industry magazine

"RS1 is at its best with instrumental, vocal and small-scale groups, particularly if you like your music up front and personal. The Grados are clearly a music lover’s component, trading a little accuracy and detail for warmth, presence and tonal color – a trade most tube lovers would make any day. Try them on for comfort and sound, you’ll not be disappointed."
- Phil Gold / Inner Ear Magazine

"Even in the heady group of contenders the Grado RS1’s luscious sound scores an immediate “wow” response. But over the months living with the three headphones, I gravitate to the RS1 more than the others. I love these headphones."
- Steve Guttenberg / Robb Report
"…offer what many audiophiles consider the most accurate sound quality available in headphones. The low end is warm, the high frequencies are crisp and clear, and there is never any distortion. This is, quite simply, the way music is supposed to sound!"
- DETAILS magazine
EDITORS' PICK! The chassis on these audiophile classics are handcrafted from cured mahogany, making them both light and dynamic. Amazing sonic detail, marvel at the clarity of your Steely Dan records. And thanks to a fully open design, you can have a conversation without reaching for the volume knob.
- Paul Boutlin, Wired Magazine
From their honey-hued mahogany earpieces to the ultra-pure, oxygen-free copper voice coils, the RS1 headphones ooze old-world craftsmanship. These headphones offer a sound that's warm, smooth and dynamic, revealing otherwise-hidden detail.
- James Willcox, Mercedes Benz Magazine
The RS1's are the only product ever nominated by STEREOPHILE for their "PRODUCT OF THE YEAR" distinction, two years in a row!
"I say that the RS1 is a Masterpiece."
- Ken Kessler, HI-FI NEWS - RECORD REVIEW
Rated Class "A" on STEREOPHILE'S recommended components list.
"It's rare that any audio product can come along and simply bowl me over. In this case, I yeild."
-Jack English, STEREOPHILE Vol.19, No.7
"I would urge any serious headphone listener to audition this Grado RS1." -John Borwick, Gramophone
"One of the years awesome high-end audio achievements"
-Ken Kessler, Robb Report
"The RS1 offers something so stunning that price becomes irrelevant"
-Gavin Isaacs, Audio Video
"If you value headphone listening enough to consider buying a reference dynamic, then you should audition the RS1's."
-Wes Philips, STEREOPHILE Vol.19, No.7
"I can honestly say that there is no better sounding headphone than the Grado RS1"
-Corey Greenberg, Home Theater Vol.3, No.5
"I'm very impressed with it" said Wes Phillips, an editor at Stereophile magazine who is evaluating the headset for next month's issue. "John introduces things that monster companies can't produce."
Excerpt / New York Times / 8/18/96 / Mark Cohen
"We've always had bit of a headphone fettish at What Hi-Fi? We're often talking about how they can create your own private universe, plug directly into your favorite piece of music. Now we've heard the Grado RS1s, and our fettish has become an epic, full blown love affair. Ooooh..."
What Hi-Fi

I kept this amp for well over month, spending two hours a day listening on average. The Cyber 20 humbled me. If there is anything wrong with the amp, it is beyond my ability to recognize, much less articulate. Once I put on my phones and plugged them into the Cyber, I was enveloped by an amazing soundstage of incredibly accurate tonality. The music was wonderfully layered, creating a almost eerie listing experience. If you are in the market, find a Cyber 20. If you are not really in the market right now, think about getting into it. I cannot say enough good things about this amp. Though I have been using the Earmax for the past three years or so, I don’t wish to go back to it. I am going to buy the review unit and make it the reference by which all others will be judged. My standards have changed. John T. Brazier